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KATIE: 30 ON MY 30TH

C.S. Lewis said "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: 'What! You too? I thought I was the only one." And so, a few silly facts about myself so you can know that the girl behind this brand is just as flawed & ridiculous as you. I'm so glad we're friends. xx 

  1. My full name is Katie Evelyn Lewis. My parents found the name Katie in Gone with the Wind [Katie Scarlett O'Hara], and I secretly loved how common the name was because it meant I never stood out. Ha! Quiet introvert over here. But saying I was "Katie D. ...yep with a K and an ie" my whole school career got a little old, I admit. 
  2. But also, I always wished my name was Taylor. If we have a girl, she'll probably end up with a "boy" name because I still think they're the cutest. 
  3. And you should also know that I've never actually seen Gone with the Wind. Isn't it like four hours long? #nope
  4. Speaking of... I would be 100% okay without a TV. Except during the Summer Olympics because hello, gymnastics. But as it stands, we have one, and Robert and I watch a show together every evening-- right now it's The Great British Baking Show! If you haven't watched it, you must. The happiest cooking competition. And their adorable accents!
  5. I'd rather read in the evenings, and usually sneak away to do so while Robert watches a little of something else. According to Goodreads, I've read 23 books this year which is maybe a little low but alas, time is limited and motherhood. 
  6. I have lived in the same city basically my whole life. I "went away" to college-- 30 minutes down the road-- and came back after marriage because no where else seemed as wonderful and it always felt silly to move away just to move away?
  7. BUT. If I could live anywhere else in the country, I'd choose New York City. Robert would never, but the history & culture is so rich. I'm a little obsessed.
  8. If I hadn't studied Psychology in school, I would have studied graphic design and marketing. Ah, how those skills would be helpful now! But at the time, I had no clue Dear Mushka would be a thing and how the brain works is incredibly fascinating. Of course, I graduated, did the math, and realized I'd be ready to have kids by the time I finished my masters + doctorate so that was enough of that. [Side note, anyone else wish they'd had better counseling to help figure this stage of life out? I was way too young to be making life decisions!]
  9. Instead, I graduated, got married, and worked at a doctor's office until I called Robert one day and told him I'd quit, I was going to start an Etsy shop. Perhaps a different approach would have been better? Ha! But he was so supportive, and somehow I just knew it was the right next step. Clearly :)
  10. My mom was my best friend until her death in 2010. I haven't told her story on a public platform in a long time, but one day I will. Suffice it to say, mental illness is scary & I constantly praise God for healing her sweet body in Heaven. Until we meet again, my dear Mama. xx
  11. I have omphalophobia, the fear of bellybuttons. Not my own, so much, but watching other people touch theirs gives me the serious creeps and makes me want to gag. WHY? I acknowledge that it's so dumb, but I can't help it! Also, three year olds touch their belly buttons a lot FYI. 
  12. I cannot spell to save my life. I never remember which letters are doubled in words like accommodate and recommend and embarrass. You know I had to spellcheck those just now. 
  13. But pet peeve: the phrase "I could care less". It's couldn't! Could doesn't even make sense. [But don't worry, chewing with your mouth open or smacking your gum doesn't bother me one bit.]
  14. I scoffed at people who said running could be fun until I actually set out to run three miles at a time a few years ago. I couldn't even run .25 a mile without stopping at first, but now I run 3-4 miles a few times a week. And it's fun! What in the world. I just signed up for my first 1/2 marathon!
  15. My biggest regret is not speaking up in a "world religions" class I took in college. People had Christianity all wrong, seeing it as a religion of laws instead of love, and I sat back and watched them walk away with the wrong impression because I was too nervous to speak in front of 50 classmates or whatever. I think, in part, it is fuel for my fire as I store scripture deep in my mind-- I want it to be there when I need it again! 
  16. I cannot think of one living celebrity whose autograph or photo I would like to have. But you better believe I'm calling dibs on time with women like Elisabeth Elliot & Corrie ten Boom in Heaven!
  17. Okay, but I did talk to Taylor Swift for a second once here in Nashville. And Daniel Radcliffe [Harry Potter] said "Hi" to me after his Broadway play performance in NY one year. He's very little!
  18. If I'm feeling completely uninspired, I usually declutter a space in our home. So when it's time to plan a new Dear Mushka line, watch out junk drawer and closet! Something about tossing out the old and making visual space helps open up my mind? 
  19. If I had 12 hours to myself, I'd probably go for a long run. Actually dry my hair. Get lost in the Word instead of anticipating my boys' wakeup time. Walk the streets of Downtown Franklin freely, going in every store. Get a massage. Take a nap. Pray & worship aloud. Eat all of a meal without sharing with little hands ;) 
  20. Speaking of food, tacos for life. Or fajitas. Or nachos. I don't discriminate. Plus some chips & guac. And ice cream with chunks of cookie dough for dessert!
  21. My most repeated Bible verses: "You keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." [Isaiah 26:3] and "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." [Psalm 16:11]
  22. The quote that has most helped me in my life: "We won't be distracted by comparison if we're captivated with purpose." -Bob Goff. The Lord really used those words to settle my heart into what HE had called me to do and I was immediately able to set aside extra pressures from the world.
  23. My favorite season is, without a doubt, Summer. I love how nonchalant it is, with its lazy mornings and easy meals and firefly catching evenings. I love everything about it. Except the mosquitos, I suppose. It's good for my control-loving heart. 
  24. My favorite piece of clothing is an old denim button down shirt from Old Navy. It's not fancy and actually, the sleeves are too short. But it's just the right weight and color, and every time I try on a replacement something just isn't right.
  25. Second place: My Birkenstocks. I've had them a few years now and will buy the exact same pair when they bite the dust. So comfortable and not tooo ugly, I say. 
  26. This book on the Enneagram is my go-to marriage gift because it was so incredibly helpful for me and Robert. Nine over here! 
  27. Lord willing, I have 5-6 more decades of life to live; I'm dedicating my 30s to the discipleship of women God has placed in my life. This Fall, I'm leading my first group and can't wait to teach on prayer, how to read the bible, etc. Gosh, sometimes I'm in awe that God uses us to point others to Him. 
  28. One time in a rain storm, my car spun across four lanes of traffic on the interstate, straight to the median on the other side. Miraculously [truly] I didn't get hit and was able to just merge back onto the road. And then I saw a car burst into flames while it was in motion! So anyway, I don't love driving and will never offer to drive for someone else. But I'll pay for your gas and buy you car candies! 
  29. I cannot whistle. I cannot do the splits [please, as if]. I cannot dance. I cannot sing. I cannot raise one eyebrow. I cannot tie a cherry stem with my tongue. How do people do all of these things?! 
  30.  Whoops, I made it to the end without mentioning our kids. We have two boys, 3 & 1, both adopted. And the truth is, motherhood is exhausting right now. I have no earthly idea how to parent siblings who bicker and take toys and hit! But of course, in our weakness He is strong & I feel closer than ever to the Lord as I [constantly] call on Him for wisdom. One day at a time, yes? I remember fighting with my siblings, we made it out alright. Ish. 

And now you. What are we twinsies on? xx